ATKINS — Residents have two full-time police officers — a former Pope County Sheriff’s deputy and a former Atkins alderman who are welcomed new members of the team.

“They are not additional officers, really. Normally we have six full-time,” Atkins Mayor Jerry Don Barrett said. “We have had two vacancies for a while. We’ve been running with four for approximately two years. Since they are already certified, we’ve been using Pope County deputies part-time.”

Atkins city officials discussed the acquisition of Gipson with the Sheriff’s Office. They wanted to make sure Gipson’s transition would not leave the Pope County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) short-handed. In addition to wanting someone the city knows, Gipson is already certified.

New hire Mike Brown will attend certification training for 13 weeks in the Police Academy in Pocahontas.

“Union Pacific gave the city $57,000 for the Avenue Four Southeast crossing closing,” Barrett said. “This was an opportune time to hire a local young man and send him to school.”

Brown was an alderman for Atkins, but had to resign his position. This was done in compliance with requirements set forth by the Arkansas Municipal League.

“He has been a volunteer firefighter for several years,” Barrett said. “He is very civic-minded and has a young family as well. Brown wants to see Atkins do well. He will be an asset to the city of Atkins.”

The City Council will take recommendations for replacing Brown and may fill the position as early as its next regular meeting.

“He has always wanted to be a policeman,” Police Chief Tim Whittenburg said. “He had applied numerous times. It’s expensive to send him to school. But, we haven’t sent anybody to the academy in about 10 years.”

Union Pacific funds to the city totaling $8,236 will go toward paying Brown’s salary while in academy training. He will earn $15 per hour as a full-time police officer.

“He’s a good man. He’ll stay here for a long time,” Whittenburg said. “Knowing him, I’m sure he’d be happy working here from now on.”

Chief Whittenburg said he felt a sense of relief when the Sheriff’s Office gave their blessing to hire Gipson.

“Having former Pope County Deputy Gipson is going to work out,” Whittenburg said. “We are pleased to have him on board.

“I have known him for a long time and he has family ties here. Gipson will definitely be another asset to the police department.”